The FCC came to Chicago last Thursday, for public hearings on media consolidation and diversity.
The whole thing was webcast for the world to hear on the FCC's website, and yours truly hooked it up to listen for eight hours. Eight loooong hours...
The FCC was there at Operation PUSH, and if you listed to the webcast- hell, you'd think Bears QB Rex Grossman was one of the commissioners. Grossman and the FCC have a lot in common - both apparently suck at their job.
We're just about as happy with the media as we are with the CTA. Both are run by pomous windbags who don't seem to care about the public. And both are in broken-down condition.
Media consolidation over the past decade has been blamed for the rise in taseless programming in prime-time (mainly of the reality kind) to layoffs at media outlets, from less local programming to voicetracking at radio stations.
All of this and more was complained about Thursday night. With the event held at Operation PUSH, you know racial overtones were the order of the day. Of course, with Chicago being one of the most segregated cities in the nation, this came as no surprise as the issue of race (from the Grant Park Children's Museum to O.J. to McNabb to the Jena 6) dominated the headlines all week.
Many complained about how the local media treats the areas of the city's West and South Sides, both with almost predominately African-American neighborhoods.
On the local news, it is not uncommon to see it start off with stories about crime from these parts of town, which has been the case for decades. Every time you turn on the news, or log on to the city's two newspapers' websites, you see stories about who got murdered, shot, or raped. One murder reported on one of the papers' websites recently even got the location wrong. What is the point of this? To drive web traffic? For TV ratings?
You are correct, Oh great one!
And the media bias even extends into the South Suburbs,which are being portrayed as "economically struggling", even though Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Richton Park, Country Club Hills, and Matteson are among Chicago suburbs with the highest incomes, with many of those high-income earners African-Americans. Is racism at work here? Well, duh?
Then there was the issue of minority hiring at these outlets and the way minorities are treated there. One lady who spoke at the hearing claimed that she is being racially harassed at a TV station she works and had to file a complaint with the EEOC.
Another issue was minority ownership. Chicago is the largest major market with the fewest minority owners in the country. The only black radio station owner in town is Melody Spann-Cooper, who owns Talk outlet WVON-AM, and broadcasts on 1690-AM through a sub-leasing deal with Clear Channel. The historic Chicago Defender is on life support and now run from Detroit. The new media incentives on the paper's website heralded by publisher Roland Martin (such as video and podcasts) were disassembled after he left. Many are calling for the restoration of the minority tax certificate, which was abolished in 1995.
There were a host of other issues as well. There were complaints about radio, particularly with many local independent artists and labels, slamming local stations for refusing them airplay. One even charged the industry with payola, with an artist claiming that a local mixer at a station was charging them $25,000 for one play. Others complained about the same songs being played repeatedly and too many commercials. Even old-school rapper KRS-One called out WGCI.
And to top it off, radio is giving talentless hack Britney Spears a shot to return to her former glory. You know you smell a rat when her single Gimme More has been declared a "success" by a dying medium. You don't know which one is more desperate. Even in her decrepit condition, she can get on the radio while more deserving independent artists can't. That rat must be paying for Spears' freight.
And yes, there were complaints about cable TV, from lack of a la carte to how minorities are portrayed on BET and VH1.
Hispanic broadcasters didn't go unscathed, either. One Hispanic individual complained about the domination Univision had over the Spanish-speaking market; others complained about NBC Universal's ownership of Telemundo, and layoffs at its WSNS-TV in Chicago.
And there was the subject of the Iraq War. Many complained about how news have become nothing but propaganda machines - not allowing contradicting views of the war. Many want the Fairness Doctrine restored.
And there were more complaints, from the lightning to how many minutes people got to speak.
But there were defenders of the media there as well. Many TV and radio stations trotted out their employees and charitable organizations that works with these companies. Former WGCI boss Marv Dyson blamed radio's problems not on consolidation, but on the "me too" attitude that plagues the medium. He supports consolidation, but not until a significant amount of minority ownership has been achieved.
But one thing that irked yours truly were the number of those praising the corporations that owned these media outlets - people who are truly hacks. The lone exception was WGN-AM host John Williams, who made a good point about the radio station losing its localism if it was forced to be sold off .
As you know, The Tribune Co. is in the process of being sold to billionaire Sam Zell, and he needs FCC approval to keep his properties - WGN-AM, WGN-TV, and the Chicago Tribune - intact. While the cross-ownership rules bar one company from owning a radio, TV and a newspaper in one market, Tribune's combo was grandfathered in - they owned the properties before 1975 when the rule took effect.
Zell got support from many prominent Illinois politicians, including Democratic senator Dick Durbin, and chances that the Tribune will be busted up is unlikely.
The interesting thing about the meetings Thursday is what wasn't brought up. The XM/Sirius merger for one - how is this going to effect customers of satellite radio? What about the shoddy reporting of the Sun-Times- who like the rest of the media- don't give a damn about Chicago. Who else could give Jay Mariotti a prominent position at the paper so he can use it for personal attacks?
Or WGCI's firing of morning personality Howard McGee for syndicated lout Steve Harvey? A clear example of getting rid of a local voice for one from New York and one who doesn't know much about Chicago, despite having a local show here in the mid 1990's. McGee's firing came despite the fact he was number one in adults 18-34 demo for his morning show.
And of course, what about former WMAQ-TV reporter Amy Jacobson appearing at the Stebic house last July wearing a bikini, caught on tape by rival WBBM-TV, which was there in the neighbor's yard only to embarrass her. WMAQ didn't do itself no favors, by firing Jacobson.
XM/Sirius aside, all of this demonstrates that Chicago is sick of big media, their antics, and the way they treat our communities. We are tired, mad as hell, and we are not going to take it anymore!
The sad part about all this is the FCC (at least the commissioners not named Adlestein or Copps), looked like they were hardly interested. They acted like we were a bunch of whiny individuals who need to get a life.
Bullshit. Chicago's residents - from all walks of life - all colors, all religions - want better from the companies who serve us through the public airwaves - the airwaves WE OWN. The FCC mission is to make decisions regarding telecommunications that serve the public interest, not major corporations.
While the FCC is hell bent on answering for right-wing groups like the Parents Television Council on indecency, it won't do a damn thing for anyone else, particularly minorities, who clearly lack representation in media and is a more pressing issue. You guys are not doing your job.
Let me cut to the point: either do your job to serve the public interest, or we'll elect politicians in 2008 who will no doubt replace you.
To listen to some of the testimony from the hearing (and KRS-One calling out WGCI), click here (thanks to StopBigMedia.com)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
FCC to challenge profanity decision in U.S. Supreme Court
Our country's freedom of speech and the First Amendment hinges on this.
Dumber and Dumber
Which one of these assholes deserve the Worst Person Of The Week award for making racist comments this week? Bill O'Reilly or former Top Model winner and Joilet's own Adrianne Curry? (It looks like a tie. And personally, I'm glad Ms. Curry left here. How about you getting over getting screwed by Tyra?)
Go Bionic
Tonight's picks to click (you at home select yours):
Check out the most buzzed about show of the season - Bionic Woman. It's a remake of the 1970's TV show that aired on ABC and NBC. (I would put this as the pick to skip, because remakes of shows usually suck. But I give this show the benefit of the doubt. But it better deliver in the ratings.) Also check out Dirty Sexy Money on ABC at 9 p.m. (CT).
Picks to skip: Private Practice, the Grey's Anatomy spinoff with Kate Walsh, and Life, whose life will likely be short. Mikey's a detective? He hates everything. He likes it! He likes it! You can put those two on the board, no!
Check out the most buzzed about show of the season - Bionic Woman. It's a remake of the 1970's TV show that aired on ABC and NBC. (I would put this as the pick to skip, because remakes of shows usually suck. But I give this show the benefit of the doubt. But it better deliver in the ratings.) Also check out Dirty Sexy Money on ABC at 9 p.m. (CT).
Picks to skip: Private Practice, the Grey's Anatomy spinoff with Kate Walsh, and Life, whose life will likely be short. Mikey's a detective? He hates everything. He likes it! He likes it! You can put those two on the board, no!
Fox pulls "Nashville"
If you had Nashville in the dead TV show pool, you win. Was it even on the air? Fox barely promoted this show. Repeats of K-Ville takes the Friday night 7 p.m. slot for now.
Bill Wirtz dies
The Chicago Blackhawks owner dies at 77. Rather than type something here, I'll just guide you to this link. It sums up my thoughts, exactly. And here's a Think Tank (the first one I wrote) you can read from last year on the Hawks and the NHL.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
"Family Guy", "Men" show growth in Week 2 (corrected)
In what may be encouraging signs for Warner Bros. Two and a Half Men and Twentieth Television's Family Guy, ratings for both off-network programs in syndication are up from the previous week in metered markets, ever so slightly. Both look like they're keepers.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent scored a 1.0/3 as a strip in off-network syndication in its first week, down 9 percent from its lead-in, but flat from year-ago time periods.
As for new first-run shows, TMZ and Steve Wilkos slipped in the ratings a bit, while Merv Griffin's Crosswords, Temptation, and Judge David Young are stagnant.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit led new weekly shows in syndication with a 1.4/3. However, the others - The Dead Zone, Cold Case, and ReGenesis - turned in less than impressive results.
Source: Nielsen Media Research, Mediaweek, Broadcasting & Cable
( This is an corrected version of this post at 9:54 p.m. The earlier post had "Family Guy's" numbers in the wrong place and Judge David Young's name misspelled. I apologize for the errors. If you spot an error, let me know in the comments section. Thanks- T.H.)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent scored a 1.0/3 as a strip in off-network syndication in its first week, down 9 percent from its lead-in, but flat from year-ago time periods.
As for new first-run shows, TMZ and Steve Wilkos slipped in the ratings a bit, while Merv Griffin's Crosswords, Temptation, and Judge David Young are stagnant.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit led new weekly shows in syndication with a 1.4/3. However, the others - The Dead Zone, Cold Case, and ReGenesis - turned in less than impressive results.
| Program | RTG/SHR | RTG/SHR |
| w/o 9/17 | w/o 9/10 | |
| First-Run | ||
| TMZ | 1.4/3 | 1.5/3 |
| Morning Show | 1.1/4 | 1.1/4 |
| Steve Wilkos | 1.0/3 | 1.1/3 |
| David Young | 0.8/3 | 0.8/3 |
| Crosswords | 0.8/2 | 0.8/2 |
| Jury Duty | 0.6/2 | ------- |
| Temptation | 0.5/2 | 0.5/2 |
| Off-Network | ||
| Two-Half Men | 2.3/4 | 2.0/4 |
| Family Guy | 2.0/4 | 1.9/4 |
| Criminal Intent | 1.0/3 | -------- |
| George Lopez | 1.0/3 | 1.0/3 |
| Reno 911 | N/A | 0.6/2 |
Weeklies | ||
| Law-Order:SVU | N/A | 1.4/3 |
| Cold Case | N/A | 0.7/2 |
| Dead Zone | N/A | 0.6/3 |
| ReGenesis | N/A | 0.6/1 |
Source: Nielsen Media Research, Mediaweek, Broadcasting & Cable
( This is an corrected version of this post at 9:54 p.m. The earlier post had "Family Guy's" numbers in the wrong place and Judge David Young's name misspelled. I apologize for the errors. If you spot an error, let me know in the comments section. Thanks- T.H.)
Reap the rewards
Tonight's pick to click (you at home select yours):
-Reaper. This is a show that is check-out worthy. It's a dramedy (yes, it's a term we haven't used since the Molly Dodd days) about a big-box employee who works for the Devil. Literally. You can read more in Maureen Ryan's review of the show here. Should be a hoot.
Meanwhile, the pick to skip is Cane. It's a new drama about the sugar industry. Yep, the sugar industry. In other words, it's Dallas with sugar instead of oil. While the program has a mostly Latino cast, Resurrection Blvd. it's not.
Cane, you can put it on the board, no!
Last night's results- click here for the household ratings and adult 18-49 numbers (when they are available)
- Chuck (which whored out to KISS-FM for a day) and The Big Bang Theory got off to a good start in adults 18-49, with Chuck's ratings increasing in the second half-hour.
- Dancing With the Stars dominates yet again, number one show for the evening.
- Journeyman's journey may be short.
- The Bachelor really needs to go away like a bad toothache. It lost half of Dancing's lead-in.
- Fox's Prison Break and K-Ville took at hit, with K-Ville dropping 30 percent week-to-week in 18-49's.
- Heroes' season premiere was up from last year's debut (up 10%), but last night's episode was somewhat disjointed. Did Rex Grossman join the writing staff, or something?
Side note: While Dancing With the Stars won easily among women 25-54 (10.3/23), Heroes also scored among men 18-34 with a 7.8/20, while Dancing managed only a 2.5/6 in that demo. Only more proof that us guys hate sissy shows like Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor. Go Heroes!
updated 10:28 pm
-Reaper. This is a show that is check-out worthy. It's a dramedy (yes, it's a term we haven't used since the Molly Dodd days) about a big-box employee who works for the Devil. Literally. You can read more in Maureen Ryan's review of the show here. Should be a hoot.
Meanwhile, the pick to skip is Cane. It's a new drama about the sugar industry. Yep, the sugar industry. In other words, it's Dallas with sugar instead of oil. While the program has a mostly Latino cast, Resurrection Blvd. it's not.
Cane, you can put it on the board, no!
Last night's results- click here for the household ratings and adult 18-49 numbers (when they are available)
- Chuck (which whored out to KISS-FM for a day) and The Big Bang Theory got off to a good start in adults 18-49, with Chuck's ratings increasing in the second half-hour.
- Dancing With the Stars dominates yet again, number one show for the evening.
- Journeyman's journey may be short.
- The Bachelor really needs to go away like a bad toothache. It lost half of Dancing's lead-in.
- Fox's Prison Break and K-Ville took at hit, with K-Ville dropping 30 percent week-to-week in 18-49's.
- Heroes' season premiere was up from last year's debut (up 10%), but last night's episode was somewhat disjointed. Did Rex Grossman join the writing staff, or something?
Side note: While Dancing With the Stars won easily among women 25-54 (10.3/23), Heroes also scored among men 18-34 with a 7.8/20, while Dancing managed only a 2.5/6 in that demo. Only more proof that us guys hate sissy shows like Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor. Go Heroes!
updated 10:28 pm
Monday, September 24, 2007
Picks to click: Three new shows debut tonight
Check out Chuck and The Big Bang Theory, both of which got mixed reviews. They are my picks to click for tonight (you at home select yours), as well as Heroes. On the other hand, skip Journeyman, as there have been many time-travel shows on the tube over the years (Quantam Leap, Time Trax), and this one isn't necessarily better. Journeyman - you can put it on the board, no!
Orlando TV news laden with crime
Orlando Weekly's Jeffrey Billman watches the local news for three weeks in Orlando and comes away with that amazing observation. Of course, if you watched local news anywhere in this country for the last 20 years (particularly in Chicago), it wouldn't surprise - or amaze anyone.
Friday, September 21, 2007
So they covered it after all...
It turns out some media outlets did report on the FCC public hearings that took place last night:
From WBBM-TV: Hundreds Line Up Speak To FCC About Media Rules
From Fox News Chicago (WFLD): FCC Hearing Attracts Hundreds in Chicago
WMAQ-TV also mentioned the hearing last night on its' 10 p.m. newscast.
Meanwhile, Presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama is calling for the FCC to scale back media consolidation and reduce the length of TV station licenses. He's also calling for more diversity in media ownership. An aide to Obama read a statement from him before the meeting.
TV week is reporting that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin met with the Tribune editorial board before the meeting (perhaps that's why he was late?) to discuss the cross-ownership rule. Sam Zell is buying the Tribune Co. and would like to keep the media properties intact.
From WBBM-TV: Hundreds Line Up Speak To FCC About Media Rules
From Fox News Chicago (WFLD): FCC Hearing Attracts Hundreds in Chicago
WMAQ-TV also mentioned the hearing last night on its' 10 p.m. newscast.
Meanwhile, Presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama is calling for the FCC to scale back media consolidation and reduce the length of TV station licenses. He's also calling for more diversity in media ownership. An aide to Obama read a statement from him before the meeting.
TV week is reporting that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin met with the Tribune editorial board before the meeting (perhaps that's why he was late?) to discuss the cross-ownership rule. Sam Zell is buying the Tribune Co. and would like to keep the media properties intact.
New weekend anchor at Channel 2
One could wonder if the announcement yesterday hiring of Mai Martinez as the new weekend anchor of WBBM-TV's weekend newscasts coincided with the FCC hearings on media diversity scheduled on the same day- or the fact that they are broadcasting Saturday's Mexican Independence Parade (don't ask about her qualifications.)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Live blogging the FCC hearings
12:30am It's finally over. Thanks for hanging in with us.
12:05 am A Korean television station (WOCH) is now being talked about.
12:01 am (now 9/21) Just a thought: Where was Mancow? Too busy filing another lawsuit?
11:46pm Did the author of that book just swear? The FCC will fine him personally. That $8 million for you.
11:43pm The corporate shills and charity cases are gone and the real people are back. This hearing is supposed to be for the people, not the corporate hacks. What they do for charity has nothing to do with what we're talking about here. Totally shameful.
10:50pm The complaints are back. We're back on track!
10:44 pm Welcome home, Eric Monte. And what he's telling is the truth.
10:40 pm I like to hear somebody rip Mariotti at this hearing. Where is Ozzie, anyway?
10:32 pm Broadcasting & Cable has a story up right now on Patric Verrone's comments. Plus, B&C's John Eggerton on his blog is writing about how media ownership is getting knocked "for a loop".
10:25pm WGN-AM's John Williams is now speaking (and former "Good Times" writer Eric Monte coming up.)
10:19 Now it's Clear Channel's turn.
10:07 Third speaker in a row for WFLD. What's going on here?
10:04pm Finally! a station other than WGN-TV/AM getting praised (It's WFLD-TV. )
9:58 pm The Rev. Jeanette Wilson gets it... More African-American shows (and not of the clown kind) are needed.
9:55 pm Enough with the praise of WGN! I smell a rat...
9:40 pm Just a thought: Where's Nine FM? They are Mr. local, aren't they? They could've been here flaunting their "localism". Another wasted opportunity by Harv and the boys.
9:35pm Don Jackson of Central City Productions is now speaking, and he's talking about his educational game show, Know Your Heritage getting bounced off ABC-owned WLS-TV and had to pay to get on another station, Fox-owned WPWR-TV (and WPWR just bounced his show out the door.)
9:27pm Don't know the speaker's name, but RIGHT ON BROTHER!!!! And all the FCC cares about is shielding children from bad language, not bullets.
9:21pm Jesse Jackson did make it after all. He was in Louisiana earlier today for a rally for the Jena 6 - the six black students who unjustly went to jail in small-town Jena, La. And Rev. Jackson points out that it was black radio - not the mainstream media (too obsessed with O.J.) that alerted the nation about this travesty.
Among the radio hosts that were down there included Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden.
9:06pm Patric Verrone of WGA west is now speaking, and as a writer myself, he's damn right about writers being forced to integrate products into their scripts (like when employees from the sitcom The Office have to work at Staples for a day) and he's asking the FCC to require the networks to disclose product placement in shows. I hate it when commercialism creeps into the creative process.
9:03 pm Radio and Records has a story up on their website on today's hearing here in Chicago. Commissioner Martin was late?
8:54 pm Nothing to do with the hearings - well, maybe it does - According to All Access, a station in Peoria (WXMP-FM) flipped from Adult Contemporary to a lame syndicated oldies format called "Hippie Radio" today. Three jocks and a few staffers are out of work as a result.
8:43 pm Great speech by Ciff Kelley. He is dead on. Here is the Sun-Times article (the home of "Can you handle more Mariotti?") he was referring to.
8:22pm The second panel is about to be seated. One of the panelists scheduled to participate is WVON host Clifford Kelley.
8:06 pm What is with all these WGN employees taking the mic? Isn't the comments forum supposed to be open to the public? You know, the part of the public who doesn't work for a media outlet?
7:55 pm WGN-AM's Orion Samuelson has spoke, and he's talked about agriculture and the media. Another WGN-AM personality, Kathy O'Malley is now speaking.
7:42pm Just a thought: By the way, where's Mayor Daley? Where's his representative? Is he somewhere playing the race card? (har, har.)
7:40pm The public is now commenting to the FCC, and boy, they are pissed. From police brutality to the Iraq War, they are giving them the FCC an earful. That is, if they can stay awake long enough to listen.
6:44pm Siliva Rivera of WRTE-FM talks about negatively about a mega company targeting the Hispanic community that owns the TV station, the radio station, and the record company. I wonder what company **cough** Univision **cough**, excuse me, what company she's talking about?
6:34pm The owner of one of Chicago's black newspapers - Dorothy Leavell of The Chicago Crusader - What a speech! She rocks!
6:18pm Marv Dyson is speaking. And the crowd gasped when he mentioned that is people with the "me too" attitude is to blame for radio's problems, not consolidation.
6:08pm WREX-TV/Rockford General Manager John Chadwick just spoke. Rockford has a symphony orchestra?
5:45pm: Among the panelists being introduced are (old school) hip-hop artist KRS-One, former WGCI boss Marv Dyson and WVON-AM president Melody Spann Cooper. The panelists will be speaking for five minutes at a time (and KRS-One just called out WGCI! Holy crap!)
5:37 pm: Commissioner Deborah Tate spoke about young people are changing the way media is consumed through the Internet and blogs.
5:32 pm: Jonathan Adelstein, another Democratic commissioner, is speaking. And he is talking about racial stereotypes in the media precipitated by big media corporations, among other things.
5:23 pm: One of the Democratic commissioners of the FCC, Michael Copps, is now speaking, and he's stressing the need for more diversity.
4:38 pm: The FCC hearings being held today will air on public-access channel CAN TV on October 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check your local listings to find the channel number for CAN TV in your area.
12:05 am A Korean television station (WOCH) is now being talked about.
12:01 am (now 9/21) Just a thought: Where was Mancow? Too busy filing another lawsuit?
11:46pm Did the author of that book just swear? The FCC will fine him personally. That $8 million for you.
11:43pm The corporate shills and charity cases are gone and the real people are back. This hearing is supposed to be for the people, not the corporate hacks. What they do for charity has nothing to do with what we're talking about here. Totally shameful.
10:50pm The complaints are back. We're back on track!
10:44 pm Welcome home, Eric Monte. And what he's telling is the truth.
10:40 pm I like to hear somebody rip Mariotti at this hearing. Where is Ozzie, anyway?
10:32 pm Broadcasting & Cable has a story up right now on Patric Verrone's comments. Plus, B&C's John Eggerton on his blog is writing about how media ownership is getting knocked "for a loop".
10:25pm WGN-AM's John Williams is now speaking (and former "Good Times" writer Eric Monte coming up.)
10:19 Now it's Clear Channel's turn.
10:07 Third speaker in a row for WFLD. What's going on here?
10:04pm Finally! a station other than WGN-TV/AM getting praised (It's WFLD-TV. )
9:58 pm The Rev. Jeanette Wilson gets it... More African-American shows (and not of the clown kind) are needed.
9:55 pm Enough with the praise of WGN! I smell a rat...
9:40 pm Just a thought: Where's Nine FM? They are Mr. local, aren't they? They could've been here flaunting their "localism". Another wasted opportunity by Harv and the boys.
9:35pm Don Jackson of Central City Productions is now speaking, and he's talking about his educational game show, Know Your Heritage getting bounced off ABC-owned WLS-TV and had to pay to get on another station, Fox-owned WPWR-TV (and WPWR just bounced his show out the door.)
9:27pm Don't know the speaker's name, but RIGHT ON BROTHER!!!! And all the FCC cares about is shielding children from bad language, not bullets.
9:21pm Jesse Jackson did make it after all. He was in Louisiana earlier today for a rally for the Jena 6 - the six black students who unjustly went to jail in small-town Jena, La. And Rev. Jackson points out that it was black radio - not the mainstream media (too obsessed with O.J.) that alerted the nation about this travesty.
Among the radio hosts that were down there included Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden.
9:06pm Patric Verrone of WGA west is now speaking, and as a writer myself, he's damn right about writers being forced to integrate products into their scripts (like when employees from the sitcom The Office have to work at Staples for a day) and he's asking the FCC to require the networks to disclose product placement in shows. I hate it when commercialism creeps into the creative process.
9:03 pm Radio and Records has a story up on their website on today's hearing here in Chicago. Commissioner Martin was late?
8:54 pm Nothing to do with the hearings - well, maybe it does - According to All Access, a station in Peoria (WXMP-FM) flipped from Adult Contemporary to a lame syndicated oldies format called "Hippie Radio" today. Three jocks and a few staffers are out of work as a result.
8:43 pm Great speech by Ciff Kelley. He is dead on. Here is the Sun-Times article (the home of "Can you handle more Mariotti?") he was referring to.
8:22pm The second panel is about to be seated. One of the panelists scheduled to participate is WVON host Clifford Kelley.
8:06 pm What is with all these WGN employees taking the mic? Isn't the comments forum supposed to be open to the public? You know, the part of the public who doesn't work for a media outlet?
7:55 pm WGN-AM's Orion Samuelson has spoke, and he's talked about agriculture and the media. Another WGN-AM personality, Kathy O'Malley is now speaking.
7:42pm Just a thought: By the way, where's Mayor Daley? Where's his representative? Is he somewhere playing the race card? (har, har.)
7:40pm The public is now commenting to the FCC, and boy, they are pissed. From police brutality to the Iraq War, they are giving them the FCC an earful. That is, if they can stay awake long enough to listen.
6:44pm Siliva Rivera of WRTE-FM talks about negatively about a mega company targeting the Hispanic community that owns the TV station, the radio station, and the record company. I wonder what company **cough** Univision **cough**, excuse me, what company she's talking about?
6:34pm The owner of one of Chicago's black newspapers - Dorothy Leavell of The Chicago Crusader - What a speech! She rocks!
6:18pm Marv Dyson is speaking. And the crowd gasped when he mentioned that is people with the "me too" attitude is to blame for radio's problems, not consolidation.
6:08pm WREX-TV/Rockford General Manager John Chadwick just spoke. Rockford has a symphony orchestra?
5:45pm: Among the panelists being introduced are (old school) hip-hop artist KRS-One, former WGCI boss Marv Dyson and WVON-AM president Melody Spann Cooper. The panelists will be speaking for five minutes at a time (and KRS-One just called out WGCI! Holy crap!)
5:37 pm: Commissioner Deborah Tate spoke about young people are changing the way media is consumed through the Internet and blogs.
5:32 pm: Jonathan Adelstein, another Democratic commissioner, is speaking. And he is talking about racial stereotypes in the media precipitated by big media corporations, among other things.
5:23 pm: One of the Democratic commissioners of the FCC, Michael Copps, is now speaking, and he's stressing the need for more diversity.
4:38 pm: The FCC hearings being held today will air on public-access channel CAN TV on October 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check your local listings to find the channel number for CAN TV in your area.
Kid Nation fianlly airs
And as of this writing, it's still on the air (it actually did well in the ratings). But it was light on the ads. And to no one's surprise, most critics hated the series.
Meanwhile, Back to You and Kitchen Nightmares rocked in their debuts, but Gossip Girl tanked losing from its lead-in and underperforming from year-ago time period levels.
Considering all the promotion Gossip Girl was given by the CW, this performance has to be disappointing (and this was my "pick to click".)
Meanwhile, Back to You and Kitchen Nightmares rocked in their debuts, but Gossip Girl tanked losing from its lead-in and underperforming from year-ago time period levels.
Considering all the promotion Gossip Girl was given by the CW, this performance has to be disappointing (and this was my "pick to click".)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Congress introduces indecency bill
Several Congressmen introduced introduced legislation called the Protection Children from Indecent Programming Act, which "requires the FCC to maintain a policy that a single word or image may be considered indecent in enforcing regulations concerning the broadcast of indecent programming over the public airwaves."
So, where is the anti-gun legislation to protect our children?
No wonder Congress and politicians in general are so despised.
So, where is the anti-gun legislation to protect our children?
No wonder Congress and politicians in general are so despised.
FCC hearings set for Chicago Thursday
Tomorrow's Federal Communications Commission hearing on media ownership at Operation Push is going to be a spectacle, no doubt it. It's an endless debate that will no doubt be exhaustive.
As you know, the FCC has been traveling the country gauging public opinion on media ownership. Chicago will no doubt be the agency's toughest test, since it is home to a lot of activist organizations, from Operation PUSH (the venue where the hearings will be held tomorrow night) to various others like Chicago Media Action.
The FCC can expect an earful from numerous individuals, including media executives, community groups, and public interest groups.
The discussions will focus on consolidation in the media industry, which has happened since the 1996 Telecommunications Act was passed, deregulating the industry and its impact has been felt from local news to diversity to the type of programming that airs on television and radio today, much of it salacious.
The big issue that will be definitely brought up is Sam Zell's acquisition of the Tribune Co., and whether or not its WGN-AM-TV-Chicago Tribune combo should be broken up.
To see what's on the agenda Thursday evening, click here.
-Can't make it Thursday evening? The hearing will also be streamed on the FCC's website; click here to access the audio/video page (you must have RealPlayer to listen to the stream. Don't have RealPlayer? You can download it for free here.)
As you know, the FCC has been traveling the country gauging public opinion on media ownership. Chicago will no doubt be the agency's toughest test, since it is home to a lot of activist organizations, from Operation PUSH (the venue where the hearings will be held tomorrow night) to various others like Chicago Media Action.
The FCC can expect an earful from numerous individuals, including media executives, community groups, and public interest groups.
The discussions will focus on consolidation in the media industry, which has happened since the 1996 Telecommunications Act was passed, deregulating the industry and its impact has been felt from local news to diversity to the type of programming that airs on television and radio today, much of it salacious.
The big issue that will be definitely brought up is Sam Zell's acquisition of the Tribune Co., and whether or not its WGN-AM-TV-Chicago Tribune combo should be broken up.
To see what's on the agenda Thursday evening, click here.
-Can't make it Thursday evening? The hearing will also be streamed on the FCC's website; click here to access the audio/video page (you must have RealPlayer to listen to the stream. Don't have RealPlayer? You can download it for free here.)
More Mariotti = More crap
The Chicago Daily Onion (a.k.a the Sun-Times) is giving so-called sportswriter Jay Mariotti a blog, of sorts, with "Mariotti 24/7", asking us if we can handle more Mariotti.
Of course the answer is no, but the Daily Onion (yours truly has been banned from commenting on their blogs), tries to force junk on their readers that will drive them away. Great business move. The self-destruction of the Sun-Times continues.
Of course the answer is no, but the Daily Onion (yours truly has been banned from commenting on their blogs), tries to force junk on their readers that will drive them away. Great business move. The self-destruction of the Sun-Times continues.
Peachtree TV's new schedule
As noted before, WPCH, or Peachtree TV will premiere on Oct. 1. in Atlanta, replacing WTBS. To see the new schedule, click here (note that the schedule may change.)
WPCH will take over WTBS' dial position over-the-air channel 17 and cable channel 7, while the national feed of TBS will become available for the first time in the Atlanta area on channel 39 on most cable systems, channel 247 on DirectTV, and channel 139 on Dish Network.
Peachtree will also air 45 Atlanta Braves games, beginning in April 2008.
Notable moves:
What's in: Temptation, Family Guy, Fraiser, 24, Mad About You, Nanny, Montel (in 2008), infomericals in late-night hours
What's back (from the old TBS days): America's Funniest Home Videos, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, All in the Family
What's out: Everybody Loves Raymond, Dawson's Creek, Yes Dear, Saved by the Bell
The lowdown: You have Family Guy double-run in access (7-8p), King of Queens on in early fringe (5-6), and Fraiser scattered around several late night time slots on various days (what's up with that?) Popular repeats of Friends and Seinfeld are being run from 6-7 p.m. The station will air movies in prime-time and a lot of them on weekends.
The big surprise: WPCH didn't secure local rights to Everybody Loves Raymond; the show is now broadcast TV exclusive to WATL, at least for now.
What's yours truly would like to see: While this isn't a bad schedule, I think WPCH should add TV classics The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy and/or The Lucy Show, and Perry Mason. These shows were a part of old-school WTBS and all still get solid ratings in syndication.
There's no word on the fate of the station's Saturday morning children's E/I and public affairs programming.
WPCH will take over WTBS' dial position over-the-air channel 17 and cable channel 7, while the national feed of TBS will become available for the first time in the Atlanta area on channel 39 on most cable systems, channel 247 on DirectTV, and channel 139 on Dish Network.
Peachtree will also air 45 Atlanta Braves games, beginning in April 2008.
Notable moves:
What's in: Temptation, Family Guy, Fraiser, 24, Mad About You, Nanny, Montel (in 2008), infomericals in late-night hours
What's back (from the old TBS days): America's Funniest Home Videos, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, All in the Family
What's out: Everybody Loves Raymond, Dawson's Creek, Yes Dear, Saved by the Bell
The lowdown: You have Family Guy double-run in access (7-8p), King of Queens on in early fringe (5-6), and Fraiser scattered around several late night time slots on various days (what's up with that?) Popular repeats of Friends and Seinfeld are being run from 6-7 p.m. The station will air movies in prime-time and a lot of them on weekends.
The big surprise: WPCH didn't secure local rights to Everybody Loves Raymond; the show is now broadcast TV exclusive to WATL, at least for now.
What's yours truly would like to see: While this isn't a bad schedule, I think WPCH should add TV classics The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy and/or The Lucy Show, and Perry Mason. These shows were a part of old-school WTBS and all still get solid ratings in syndication.
There's no word on the fate of the station's Saturday morning children's E/I and public affairs programming.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Small webcasters sign deal with SoundExchange
Twenty-four small webcasters have signed deals with SoundExchange to continue to stream. The agreements to pay royalty fees are in effect until the end of 2010. The rates they will pay basically are the same ones they have been previously been paying, and lower than the rates Copyright Royalty Board set last spring. Ah, the art of negotiation. It works!
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